By Joshua Egbodo Abuja
House of Representatives yesterday resolved to probe the alleged killing of 97 Nigerians in the ceded Bakassi Peninsula, by Cameroonian Gendarmes. Th e House Committee on Foreign Aff airs was mandated by the House to investigate the matter and report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action. Th e House resolution followed a motion brought under matters of urgent national importance by a member Hon. Babatunde Kolawole titled: “Alleged killing of 97 Nigerians by Cameroonian Gendarmes.” He said: “Last week there were several media reports that 97 Nigerians have been killed in Bakassi by Cameroonian Gendarmes because they could not aff ord a N100, 000 levy on each fi shing boat.
“Th is is in spite of the clauses in the Green Tree Agreement signed between Nigerian and Cameroonian Governments which protect our citizens in the ceded areas from harm. “Apart from these recent attacks, there have been reports of harassments, rape and killings of Nigerians by the Gendarmes over the years with the Nigerian government seemingly doing little or nothing to stop it. “If nothing is done to stop this ugly development, other Nigerian lives would be at stake as the Gendarmes may continue to kill Nigerians at will without fear of recriminations.”
He however added that though there are reports that the federal government has summoned the Cameroonian Ambassador over the killings, there is need for the House as the People’s parliament to send a clear signal that “we will not sit and watch while the lives of our citizens are wasted with impunity.” In his contribution to the motion, chairman, House Committee on Foreign Aff airs, Hon. Nnena ElenduUkeje cautioned that the issue was still in the realm of speculations and suggested that the allegation should be investigated. Th e motion scaled through voice vote put by the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, who presided over the session
